Nightforce TS-82 vs Meostar S2

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slim78

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I'm in the market for a high end spotter that is good for both hunting and long range target spotting. I've looked at the NF spotter when they first come out a few years back and was very impressed with the clarity at max power but have never had the chance to see the Meostar or the new NF TS-82. I understand that Meopta makes the NF TS-82 and rebrands it with a few minor differences such as external coatings.

Besides the cheaper price of the Meostar does anyone have any first hand experience comparing the two spotters side by side to see if price is the only big difference in the two?

Thanks Chad
 
I have the Ts -82 and can say that I too am very impressed I have both eye pieces as anything less than 1000 yards is to close for the standard eyepiece, as for glass I have looked thru Meoptra's binoculars and am not overly impressed . Hope there is someone else that can help you better good luck.
 
slim78 said:
I'm in the market for a high end spotter that is good for both hunting and long range target spotting. I've looked at the NF spotter when they first come out a few years back and was very impressed with the clarity at max power but have never had the chance to see the Meostar or the new NF TS-82. I understand that Meopta makes the NF TS-82 and rebrands it with a few minor differences such as external coatings.

Besides the cheaper price of the Meostar does anyone have any first hand experience comparing the two spotters side by side to see if price is the only big difference in the two?

Thanks Chad
Click to expand...

If willing to look at better/pricier spotters, add the KOWA, Pentax and Leica family to your search.

Kowa offers some of the best spotter bodies in the market... they are the dominate optic you will see at an F class match

Pentax makes some of the best eyepieces and you will see many referenced in birder sites.

Leica Trinovid is a big heavy spotter full of wonderment and joy.

BUT there is no spotter you can consistently use to spot bullet holes beyond 300yds if there is mirage. on clear days, many of these, including most quality high mag rifle scopes will see 30cal holes all the way to 800m in the white.

Add any mirage and this tanks... so this is unreliable.

If you want to spot your target at LR, get a wireless camera set up. If you are spotting general impacts for another shooter, pretty much all of this works.

If you want to spot game, the smaller Pentax 65ED and KOWA 600 series are amazing AND portable. The NF is pretty darn big and I wouldn't want to be packing this in the field.

Jerry
 
Mystic Precision said:
If willing to look at better/pricier spotters, add the KOWA, Pentax and Leica family to your search.

Kowa offers some of the best spotter bodies in the market... they are the dominate optic you will see at an F class match

Pentax makes some of the best eyepieces and you will see many referenced in birder sites.

Leica Trinovid is a big heavy spotter full of wonderment and joy.

BUT there is no spotter you can consistently use to spot bullet holes beyond 300yds if there is mirage. on clear days, many of these, including most quality high mag rifle scopes will see 30cal holes all the way to 800m in the white.

Add any mirage and this tanks... so this is unreliable.

If you want to spot your target at LR, get a wireless camera set up. If you are spotting general impacts for another shooter, pretty much all of this works.

If you want to spot game, the smaller Pentax 65ED and KOWA 600 series are amazing AND portable. The NF is pretty darn big and I wouldn't want to be packing this in the field.

Jerry
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Jerry. I have a wireless camera setup now but wanted a good spotter to spot multiple targets. Bit cheaper in the end than buying more cameras but it would be nice lol. I realize that mirage will always play a huge factor into spotting shots on a paper target at longer ranges as it would be no different than a higher power scope. I will check out the other brands you mentioned. Thanks
 
slim78 said:
Thanks for the info Jerry. I have a wireless camera setup now but wanted a good spotter to spot multiple targets. Bit cheaper in the end than buying more cameras but it would be nice lol. I realize that mirage will always play a huge factor into spotting shots on a paper target at longer ranges as it would be no different than a higher power scope. I will check out the other brands you mentioned. Thanks
Click to expand...

I only use the wireless camera when load testing or practising and I need to see the actual bullet hole.

For spotting for another shooter on rocks and gongs, you can see well enough with a spotter or quality scope to tell the quadrant of impact and that is plenty.

On a painted gong, the splat is much bigger then the actual bullet impact so this is easy to spot at distance and even in mirage.... acts just like the scoring spotter used on F class target. 3.5" spotter is easily seen at 1000yds with any decent optic.

If you want a quality spotter for hunting, I would look at the features you need for that task... it will most certainly work for any type shooting as described above. Even the biggest bestest spotting scope will not see bullet holes reliably at distance with any degree of mirage.

And I doubt you want to pack 3ft and 25lbs of optic with you.

Jerry
 
Mystic Precision said:
I only use the wireless camera when load testing or practising and I need to see the actual bullet hole.

For spotting for another shooter on rocks and gongs, you can see well enough with a spotter or quality scope to tell the quadrant of impact and that is plenty.

On a painted gong, the splat is much bigger then the actual bullet impact so this is easy to spot at distance and even in mirage.... acts just like the scoring spotter used on F class target. 3.5" spotter is easily seen at 1000yds with any decent optic.

If you want a quality spotter for hunting, I would look at the features you need for that task... it will most certainly work for any type shooting as described above. Even the biggest bestest spotting scope will not see bullet holes reliably at distance with any degree of mirage.

And I doubt you want to pack 3ft and 25lbs of optic with you.

Jerry
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I'm more after a good spotting scope for long range target spotting, the use for hunting will just be out of a truck so weight and size is not really a concern. I'm a firm believer in buy once, cry once! In your opinion Jerry do you know why the Kowa dominates the F class line?
Thanks Chad
 
We haven't brought any of the NF spotters in for display as they are essentially a Meopta but will bring them in on special order. We carried a lot of the Meopta line a few years ago and I believe it to be some of the best glass in the market as they were good enough to have supplied contract items to Zeiss in the past. Unfortunately we recently dropped the Meopta line due to lack of interest against lines like Vortex that requires no real effort at selling due to the great marketing they do. I believe that Meopta products are a great bang for the buck and would not hesitate of personally using their product. Phil.
 
slim78 said:
I'm more after a good spotting scope for long range target spotting, the use for hunting will just be out of a truck so weight and size is not really a concern. I'm a firm believer in buy once, cry once! In your opinion Jerry do you know why the Kowa dominates the F class line?
Thanks Chad
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Chad, the only way to explain is for you to climb behind one and see for yourself.

At the top of this game, money isn't really a problem... great optics and optical characteristics are everything. Kowa brings so much to the table for a very fair price.... it is best described as very user friendly excellence.

Are there "better spotters? depending on your priorities, yes, no, maybe...

At some point, you have to look through these and decide what is important to you.

The NF spotter is a very good one but pricey for what you get but if like the NF brand, you will not be dissappointed.

Vortex on the other hand....

YMMV

Jerry
 
The only difference are cosmetic and the price, Nightforce is more expensive.

As far as quality goes, the S2 is the best bang for your buck on the high end optics market. Check the reviews it is one of the best right now anywhere you read.
 
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Thank you everyone that has replied. I've made a decision to stick with the NF TS-82 as you get what you pay for and unfortunately due to logistics I can't look threw a Meopta before buying. I've never been disappointed with any NF I've bought and it will likely be all the s old I'll need.

Anyone know of a TS-82 Angled in stock? I'd prefer the kit with the case and scope if possible.

Thanks Chad
 
It is up to you, but if paying more for the same is what you want it's fine with me.

As mentionned they are the same units, both are manufactured in the same factory in Czech Republic with the same specs. The only difference being cosmetic and the price.

I would recommend you check some of the Meopta dealers and price an S2 you will be surprised of the price difference.

Canadian Outdoor Distributing is the Canadian distributor for Meopta, check their website for a list of dealers www.canodi.ca

I know workwear canada usually have some pretty good prices.
 
It is up to you, but if paying more for the same is what you want it's fine with me.

As mentionned they are the same units, both are manufactured in the same factory in Czech Republic with the same specs. The only difference being cosmetic and the price.

I would recommend you check some of the Meopta dealers and price an S2 you will be surprised of the price difference.

Canadian Outdoor Distributing is the Canadian distributor for Meopta, check their website for a list of dealers www.canodi.ca

I know workwear canada usually have some pretty good prices.
 
slim78 said:
Thank you everyone that has replied. I've made a decision to stick with the NF TS-82 as you get what you pay for and unfortunately due to logistics I can't look threw a Meopta before buying. I've never been disappointed with any NF I've bought and it will likely be all the s old I'll need.

Anyone know of a TS-82 Angled in stock? I'd prefer the kit with the case and scope if possible.

Thanks Chad
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$3370.00 at Hirsch.
 
LOL!! For $3300 plus you can get a Swarovski. The Pentax 80ED is $1500 with eyepiece and is one hell of a nice spotter. I am a horrible optics snob and usually turn my nose up if its not German or Austrian. The Pentax surprised me, the eyepieces are some of the best to be had especially the XW series. I am very happy with the Pentax.

The Japanese can give the Germans stiff competition with optics, everyone else...nah.
 
Hey Slim,

I can get you a TS-82 as we have had about a half dozen come through here however for the money I would steer you towards a Swarovski for optics that I have yet to see beat. If You are looking for a Nightforce for the durability of a scope that can take some more abuse I do have a TS-80 Angled in stock which hits a nice middle point of quality and price at $1969.99.

Give me a call if you would like to talk through some options.

Lindsay Schmidt
Account Manager

E: lschmidt@grouseriver.com
 
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